1. (1)

   1. (a) The pathway plan is a multi-year plan for school improvement that is prepared by a school district, the institute, or a public school for the state review panel and the state board.

   2. (b)

      1. (I) A pathway plan connects the school district's or the institute's proposal for significant state board action, as described in section 22-11-209 (2)(a), with the broader strategies for the improvement of the school district or the institute.
      2. (II) A pathway plan connects the public school's proposal for significant state board action, as described in section 22-11-210 (5)(a), with the broad strategies for the improvement of the public school.

   3. (c)

      1. (I) A school district or the institute shall develop a pathway plan when the school district or the institute:

         1. (A) Voluntarily proceeds, as described in section 22-11-207 (5), in the third or fourth year of performance watch, with a request to the state board to direct a significant action;
         2. (B) Enters the fifth year on performance watch; or
         3. (C) Returns to the state board for a hearing based on a prior order of the state board, as described in section 22-11-209 (3.5).

      2. (II) A public school shall develop a pathway plan when the public school:

         1. (A) Voluntarily proceeds, as described in section 22-11-210 (1)(d.5), in the third or fourth year of performance watch, with a request to the state board to direct a significant action;
         2. (B) Enters the fifth year on performance watch; or
         3. (C) Returns to the state board for a hearing based on a prior order of the state board, as described in section 22-11-210 (5.5)(a).

2. (2)

   1. (a)

      1. (I) A pathway plan for a school district must include the school district's proposed significant action or actions from the list set forth in section 22-11-209 (2)(a)(I);
      2. (II) A pathway plan for the institute must include the institute's proposed significant action or actions from the list set forth in section 22-11-209 (2)(a)(II); and
      3. (III) A pathway plan for a public school must include the public school's proposed significant action or actions from the list set forth in section 22-11-210 (5)(a).
   2. (b) In addition to the proposed significant actions described in subsection (2)(a) of this section, a pathway plan for a school district, the institute, or a public school must incorporate data analysis to identify priority challenges and root causes, research-based strategies, an action and implementation plan, short-cycle implementation benchmarks, and annual targets for progress monitoring.
   3. (c) To ensure the success of the pathway plan, a pathway plan for a school district, the institute, or a public school must include the school district's, the institute's, or the public school's budget allocations to support school needs and a financial sustainability plan. The financial sustainability plan may include, but is not limited to, salaries, facility costs, curriculum costs, and operational costs.
3. (3) In the development and implementation of the pathway plan, a school district, the institute, or a public school shall engage with educators, students, families, community stakeholders, the school district accountability committee created in section 22-11-301, and, when relevant, the school accountability committee created in section 22-11-401 and any local collective bargaining groups or employee organizations, as defined in section 29-33-103, that represent educators.
4. (4) The state board shall adopt rules for purposes of this section.

Source: L. 2025: Entire section added, (HB 25-1278), ch. 235, p. 1140, § 11, effective May 23.

Cross references: For the legislative declaration in HB 25-1278, see section 1 of chapter 235, Session Laws of Colorado 2025.